The 2015 Celebration of Academics will celebrate “Academics in Action” by taking a closer look at the process of learning—the ups and downs, the successes and failures, and the value of each step along the journey.

The James W. Lemke Celebration of Academics is an annual, campus-wide tradition recognizing Coker's unique academic environment. The three-day event celebrates the myriad forms of academic exploration, both inside and outside of the classroom, that define a Coker education. In 2014, the Celebration was named in memory of James W. Lemke, former professor of political science and philosophy and a member of Coker's faculty for nearly 40 years. Lemke was instrumental in the planning and success of the first-ever Celebration of Academics in 2010—and a strong supporter of the belief that at Coker, learning happens everywhere.